The Bone Marrow Transplant Patient and Family Fund

The Bone Marrow Transplant Patient and Family Fund at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins was established in August 1995 through the fundraising efforts of Viki Anders, RN, a bone marrow transplant research nurse. Viki, from experience on the bone marrow transplant unit, grew acutely aware of the special needs of patients undergoing such a procedure. She sought to start a fund to help families through her own participation in the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim and the proceeds from an annual swimming event that she coordinates.

In addition to medical expenses, patients undergoing bone marrow transplants are confronted with other financial burdens, unrelated to their hospital bill. Bone marrow transplant patients are often in the hospital for 45-60 days and do not return home for a minimum of 100 days from the start of treatment.

Despite insurance, most families of bone marrow transplant patients are faced with large medical bills. Moreover, patients and their families must relocate to Baltimore for the transplant and remain for at least two to three weeks thereafter. These expenses, couples with the loss of income from extended absence from work, cripple patients and their families. Too frequently, these financial issues have devastating effects on families, often preventing them from getting the medically indicated transplants. During this period of time, the patients have little or no income for their households and must frequently depend on federal aid.

Through Viki's efforts, this fund will allow the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins to help many patients who desperately need financial assistance during treatment. Managed by an oncology social worker, funds will be allocated to patients with needs including the following: patient and family's relocation costs to Baltimore, transplantation costs for follow-up medical treatment, food and lodging for family members or patients, necessary utilities for housing, medical supplies for the home, and other needs that are unique to families while they are coping with a patient undergoing a bone marrow transplant. The funds provided to each family will be limited so that a greater number of families may be helped.

The Bone Marrow Transplantation Program at Hopkins was one of the first transplantation programs in the country. Since its inception in 1968, this program has been known for novel therapies and creative approaches to both disease and transplant-related problems.